Behind the Scenes with Director Morgan Neville on His Paul McCartney Documentary ‘Man On The Run’
Paul McCartney prefers to be addressed simply as “Paul,” eschewing titles such as “Sir” or “Mr. McCartney.” This preference was shared by filmmaker Morgan Neville, who spent considerable time with McCartney for his new documentary, Man on the Run.
The film is set to screen in global cinemas for one night only on Thursday, and it will debut on Prime Video on February 27. This documentary focuses on one of the lesser-known periods of McCartney’s career, highlighting his transition following the breakup of The Beatles. During this time, he and his wife Linda relocated to a secluded area of Scotland, where McCartney grappled with the challenge of establishing a new musical identity. His later success with Wings contrasts sharply with the initial critical reception of his early post-Beatles work, which was often negative but has since been re-evaluated over time.
According to McCartney’s website, the film incorporates “stunning archival footage, Linda McCartney’s exceptional photographs, interviews with Paul, Linda, Mary and Stella McCartney, as well as Wings band members, Sean Ono Lennon, Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, and more,” examining this pivotal chapter of his life through a uniquely vulnerable lens.
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In a recent conversation with hosts John Ridley and Matt Carey on Doc Talk, Neville, an Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy winner, discussed how the documentary came to be. He pointed out that one of his greatest challenges was steering clear of making a “jukebox of anecdotes” in order to create a film that feels both intimate and revealing.
Neville, renowned for his works including 20 Feet From Stardom, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, and The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, elaborated on the strategic approach he employed during his interviews with McCartney. His own musical background played a significant role in building a rapport with the legendary artist. He also hinted that Man on the Run might be his final documentary focused on music.
